11/25/2019, 10:26 p.m.

A national breast cancer foundation, Susan G. Komen, is working to improve breast cancer outcomes among Black/African-American women. This effort is part of Komen's African American Health Equity Initiative. John Snow, Inc. (JSI), a mission-driven public health organization, is assisting in gathering information from across the country.

To further these efforts, the project is gathering information in the 12 metropolitan areas with the highest breast cancer disparities, including the Chicagoland area and particularly Will and Cook Counties, as well as neighboring Lake County, IN.

The sessions in Will County are scheduled for December 5th, 3 PM and 5:30 PM, in the Nowell Park Recreation Center at 199 Mills Road in Joliet. Focus group discussions will be held for “African American women who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer,” as well as “African American women who are breast cancer survivors.” You can sign up for either Joliet session by calling 833-948-1250.

The ultimate goal of the Initiative is to improve breast cancer outcomes among African American women by 25 percent in five years, within metro areas with the greatest current disparities. The Susan G Komen Foundation intends to work to help priority areas as they address complex social issues, and build the collaborative action and investments that can maximize impact in the fight against breast cancer.

For more information on the Komen’s African American Health Equity Initiative, go to https://ww5.komen.org/AAHealthEquity/.